INUYASHA: SEALED FATES UNLEASHED

By: Lady JenDragon

Disclaimer: No, not mine….yeah, I got it.

Author Notes: Getting closer! Sorry, I moved cross-country for work so I've been away for a while. Now I'm back!

Chapter Thirty-Four

Waterbowls and Mirrors

An older woman sat at the central ring in the hut. Her gray hair was left loose to fall around her aging shoulders. She wore the red and white miko robes sitting in quiet mediation. Her face was wrinkled in concentration as dark eyes focused on the behavior of the fire flickering before her. She appeared focused on her inner emotions.

"Kayala!"

The young woman, similar to Kagome in features, appeared in the doorway of the primitive hut. Her long black hair was pulled together at the back of her neck and tied by a ribbon. She wore the miko white/red kimono, her bow in her left hand. The arrows were already at her back in preparation. Around her neck was the Pearls of Truth glistening new.

"What is it, Mayalin?" Came the demure voice. "The demons are coming this way fast. We must prepare."

"There is no need to worry." The elderly miko raised her chin determined. "Demons only come this way to reach their destiny. The battle between demons and the celestial is not our concern."

Kayala frowned. "It is the concern of all humans who wins this battle. The out come will not favor us regardless."

"There are many strong demons to take on the celestial demon." Mayalin appeared smug. "They will be defeated easily."

"Yes." Kayala agreed. "Then the celestial will unleash her will upon us all. These lands will burn until barren and the skies will turn black blocking out the sun and moon. My dreams show that this will not bode well for any of our people, near or far. All will perish if she is to win this night. The demons will need our aid."

"We do not lend aid to a demon." Mayalin spoke with finality.

"Then we are all doomed." Kayala lowered her eyes.

Then Kayala shifted her face and looked towards the sky from the doorway of the hut. Her expression was blank except for the glistening in her eyes. The sky was beginning to turn black from the battle now ensuing. She moved away from the door deciding on her action. She lifted her eyes to the horizon once more as she walked towards the blackening western sky.

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The image changed…the field spread out before her laden with the bodies of maimed, dead, and left over demons. Weapons were littered among the carcasses as she moved forward. The miasma was thick and heavy lingering close to the ground. Kayala let her eyes sweep the immediate area seemingly unaffected by the sight or smells.

It was then she found a large consortium of demons standing in a tight group. They were led by a human-looking demon marked as a Dog Demon. He wore the intense white kimono, black/blue armor and his fluffy sash hung loosely off his shoulder. His handsome appearance took her by surprise remembering the stories of this demon and his reputation. He then noticed her approaching them.

"The Dog General." She whispered unaffected by the intensity of his stare now that his gaze was upon her.

There were numerous demons loyal to the Dog General. They were fully armed and ready for battle waiting for word when to attack. They stood behind him as he surveyed the battle and the field before them. Yet something made them hesitate before taking on the celestial demon waiting for them just on the other side of the hill in the distance.

Kayala offered. "You have no chance of victory."

"You have no place here, miko." The Dog General growled, his golden eyes narrowed at her.

Kayala smiled slightly. "You underestimate your enemy. She has no fear of meeting her match among you."

"We have a strong ally." The Dog General pointed out.

Kayala sensed something odd about the group then turned to face the darkening horizon. Her face was unreadable but her eyes shone with the anticipation of the battle. She could sense the unusual aura, a non-demon aura, among them.

"You believe a celestial human can help demons defeat this threat against us all?" Kayala turned to face two demons dressed similarly in black armor, gray kimono's and large battle ax-like weapons.

The two demons parted seconds later.

"You're late." Asaia, in her child-like form, walked out from among the group.

Her kimono shone silver-blue in the night light despite the sporadic fires burning around them. The expressionless face, in her eyes appeared something she had not seen in some time…hope. She possessed a small water bowl in her hands. It was ten-inches long by eight-inches wide. There was water in the bowl yet it did not move when she walked forward.

Kayala knew not to believe the sight that greeted her.

"A child will not help us win against our common enemy." Kayala glanced at the Dog General then back to Asaia.

"We will trap her in the water bowl and seal her in her own world." Asaia offered the bowl to the Dog General. "All the demons you have assembled will try to distract Atokiyada from seeing what we are planning."

He hesitated before bending to take the tiny bowl into his hands. Clearly he was insulted that he was forced to respond to the celestial human. Yet, Kayala did not openly respond to this action. She turned her face towards the hill where the fighting went eerily silent.

"She has won." Kayala spoke softly.

Asaia walked to Kayala and stood beside her.

"We can win." Her tiny voice sounded so light.

Kayala could only stare at the horizon. "What must I do?"

"Break the waterbowl once we've captured her in it." Asaia smiled slightly. "Use your arrows to destroy it in this world. Only then will it seal her in the prison realm. She'll never be able to enter our world again if we are victorious."

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Flames roared around them threatening to burn them all into hell. Kayala barely got to her feet as battles ensued around her. Asaia stood in the center of the room unsure what the hell was going on. Demons continued to attack one another as if commanded.

"Her spell is strong!" Asaia insisted. "Now!"

Asaia held the small waterbowl out in front of her towards Kayala with the five seals attached to the outer rim of the bowl. Atokiyada's reflection could be seen pounding on the backside of the water that entrapped her. She took an arrow from its place on her back and brought it to her bow. Kayala knew her mission. She pulled back the string with two fingers and focused on the waterbowl in her sight. Then she let the arrow go.

The arrow flew through the air straight at the waterbowl.

Two demons knocked into Asaia just as the arrow reached her. There was a surprised expression on Asaia's face. The arrow only nicked the edge of the waterbowl as it fell from her small hands. A piece of the waterbowl broke off as it was launched from Asaia's hands. They watched as the waterbowl sailed through the air.

Kayala felt her eyes wide.

The waterbowl dropped into the only water puddle in the room and disappeared. Suddenly the battle around them halted. Demons seemed to wake from their spell-induced slumber standing around wondering how they ended up here in this odd place. Having fallen over, Kayala and Asaia got to their feet and approached the puddle of water cautiously. All that remained of the waterbowl were the five seals from the outer rim. Kayala turned to Asaia.

Kayala needed to know. "Is Atokiyada gone?"

Asaia took a deep breath. "We failed to seal her away forever. However, the five seals will hold her for some time."

"How much time?" Kayala wanted to know.

"Hard to say." Asaia kept her eyes on the puddle as she bent over and lifted the seals from the water. "The seals must be protected. I will hide them so no one can find them ever again. Should they be broken, she will emerge back into our world."

Suddenly the world dimmed then went black.

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Kagome shook her head returning back to her present situation. So it was the small waterbowl that started it all. Kayala did not miss hitting her mark after all, Kagome realized. Asaia was pushed out of the way by two demons fighting. But where was the small waterbowl? They only witnessed the large waterbowl.

"Unless she enlarged it?" Kagome surmised quietly.

Atokiyada did appear rather protective of the thing now that she thought about it. Well, no time like the present to find out if her theory was right. Kagome surveyed the battlefield below them. KiRaRa flew high above the floor as Atokiyada's attention was diverted to Tir, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha. Her entire body felt ready for the plan.

Sesshomaru easily evaded Atokiyada's first wave. Her wrist flicked slightly forward at them, her eyes growing bright white. He set on his feet softly, his hand raising Tokijin to deflect the second attack. It bounced off his blade but the blade vibrated hard in his grip. 'A powerful attack.'

Inuyasha had to dive right to avoid getting hit but his instincts were good. Her attack only served to piss him off. He glanced to find Tir and Sesshomaru fighting off some kind of barrier-type wave threatening to engulf the room. For a full demon and a demon dragon to have trouble holding back a barrier attack meant it was strong. She was getting stronger.

"BACKLASH WAVE!" Inuyasha brought his hands down allowing the blade to slam into the floor.

He felt the wave release, the blade vibrating violently as it reciprocated the energy of the attack back in Atokiyada's direction. Even Sesshomaru and Tir straightened as the barrier wave moved away from them, tearing up the floor between them and Atokiyada. There would be nothing left of this castle if he had anything to say about it.

Atokiyada then rounded on Kagome. Her hands were raised up then stretched out before her. Kagome suddenly felt the energy coming in her direction. KiRaRa had to maneuver to avoid being struck. The attack bounced off the wall and went after them.

"It's a heat seeker?" Kagome squeaked.

KiRaRa zig-zagged through the air. Kagome glanced behind her and somehow her hands loosened their grip on the demon cat. She felt herself falling towards the floor. Tir leapt into the air catching her just before she hit, setting her down hard. Kagome lost her balance and fell over. Tir took a direct shot when he landed, sliding across the floor. Kagome watched Asaia cross the floor towards her as she got to her feet.

Kagome blinked slightly blinded for a second from something shining from Atokiayda's direction. She glanced over at Atokiyada as the attack came at her fast and hard. The small girl threw her hands up in front of her and created a shield that lasted only long enough to deflect the attack. Whatever Atokiyada was saving her energy for Kagome could feel the power begin to escalate in intensity. It was then she realized something.

"I've never been able to feel Atokiyada before…" Her voice trailed off. "Must be the Pearls of Truth."

Inuyasha dodged some wall attack that felt more like a full-fledged demon barrier. Sesshomaru and Tir took turns inching closer to Atokiyada and her waterbowl. It was clear they were going to take turns trying to get to it. However she appeared to understand exactly what their intentions were and changed her attack accordingly. Were they aware of this?

Asaia's voice echoed in her ears. 'It's your turn, Kagome.' Miroku and Sango fought side-by-side using Herykotsu as a shield when attacks came their way. Shippo helped out with shields and avoided getting involved in the heavy onslaught.

"What am I supposed to do?" Her voice sounded panicked. Kagome closed her eyes and focused. 'Tell me what to do…please! I'll never forgive myself if anyone dies!'

Suddenly she felt herself begin to fall into a restful, peaceful sleep. Her entire body relaxed, her breathing went shallow, her heart began to take longer breaks between beats. The sound of her heart beating in her ears echoed then faded as if someone soundproofed this dream. Her body went limp as she fell unconscious on KiRaRa's back.

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Kagome woke on the floor of a most beautiful castle. The floors were clear as glass looking into fog and white clouds. Getting to her feet, she found that the floor held her weight. Cautiously, she walked forward. The layout appeared similar to that of the castle she just left.

It felt like she was peering into mirrors hoping to find something to guide her hoping to find answers. She realized she was the only thing that had color in the place. Her school uniform remained white and green with her black shoes, brown filthy socks, and black hair. Kagome found the walls and floor began to frost over hiding the chaotic clouds.

She turned to find a woman standing off to her left shimmering in bright white and dim yellow. Her pale face was beautiful, her figure slender covered in a gleaming silver-white kimono, and tall like the gentle trees that swayed in the breeze back home.

"Are you the Pearls of Truth?" Kagome got to her feet hopeful of learning more.

'I am the essence of truth, yes.'

Kagome wondered how far this conversation would go at this rate. "Are you a celestial?"

'Just truth.' Truth replied evenly.

"What am I to do?"

'What you are meant to do.' The woman turned from her.

"That isn't helping me!" Kagome wanted answers not riddles for crying out loud!

Kagome ran to the woman and rounded her. She came face to face with the woman's serene face. Her eyes were white with no color of any kind, a golden speck indicated sight. Was this how a celestial truly appeared? Kagome felt her eyes widen when the woman touched her shoulder.

'You fear what you are.'

"No I don't!" Kagome frowned and pressed on. "Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what I need to do to vanquish my enemy!"

'You already know.' The woman nodded and walked around her.

"How can I know when all I feel is panic?" Kagome knew nothing else to say.

'Fear guides you to hide your strength.' The woman paused. 'Truth only shows you what you possess. How you use it…is your choice.'

"So what are you showing me then?" Kagome looked around the castle room.

It was a castle of mirrors.

Nothing appeared permanent. Neither the walls or the floors were absolute. In essence truth. Solidification of all she knew to be real. The walls began a cascade of shapes that transformed into color and then solidified for her to witness. Images of her life passed through the walls and across the floor as if on film. They played out moments in her life showing both good times and bad times along with the triumphs and the disappointments. But each time, Kagome found the strength to keep going regardless of how things turned out.

Was this what she was supposed to learn here? That her strength was never giving up? Her weakness was self-doubt? They went up against some tough adversaries before and came out on the other end. But this was different. She was dealing with a god-like creature bent on making everyone suffer endlessly if she failed. How was she supposed to beat Atokiyada?

Part of her wanted to be angry for not getting a straight answer. But then, is that what Truth was trying to show her? That the straight answer would not change the choice she had to make? Kagome stood wondering what she was truly supposed to learn here.

'You are from a long line of powerful miko's Kagome, descendent of Kayala. The powerful Miko who led the revolt against Atokiyada.'

"Grandpa left a few people off the family tree." Kagome commented softly.

'Use your weaknesses and draw on your strengths.' Truth paused and faced Kagome before the doorway out of the mirrored room. 'The powers of the universe always balances even if we are blinded to its majesty.'

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Kagome repeated what she learned in her physics class.

'Yes.'

"Am I the reaction?"

'Part of the reaction.' Truth turned to leave once more. 'You look for answers where you do not require an answer. Only a certification that you are capable of succeeding. You do not require that for you already know you possess the power to achieve your goal.'

"Atokiyada is powerful." Kagome looked up. "How can I defeat a celestial?"

Truth replied. 'You have already set in motion what you need to defeat your opponent. Do not fear the minutes before only those after.'

Kagome lowered her head unable to figure out the answer. Panic threatened to engulf her if she did not figure things out and quickly. With Truth talking in riddles, she would never find a way to take Atokiyada down. She wanted to cry but no tears would come. Folding both hands together, she clenched them tightly.

'Kagome, heir of Kayala, fulfill your destiny.'

Kagome felt herself become sleepy then unable to follow Truth as she left the room. There were so many questions that remained unanswered. But her feet would not obey her commands to walk after the woman. It was clear she would not get to follow Truth. Then she lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

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Kagome woke up on KiRaRa's back. She found they had not changed position since she knocked out. Not that she learned anything useful. Only that she was the heir to Kayala, the great miko who stood with demons to defeat Atokiyada long ago. But the demon story already told her that with Jaken and Asaia throwing in a few facts along the way.

"Back to the Waterbowl." She shrugged. "How can I break it? She guards it like a hawk."

Then Kagome suddenly remembered something. Atokiyada wore a necklace. She never noticed it before until now. It was a small, round-like mirror. It flickered for a blinding moment when she sent the attack before. Why did she only remember it now?

"The bigger waterbowl is the decoy." Kagome looked towards Atokiyada. "It's got to be in the mirror around her neck. She won't make the same mistake twice."

That was no improvement to their situation and time was running out.

"Great." Kagome pouted. "How am I supposed to get the necklace off her?"

It was then she noticed KiRaRa had her bow in her mouth. When had the demon cat picked it up? Where had she found it? Kagome reached forward and took the bow staring at it with a sudden realization.

"Guess I'll just have to do it my way then." Kagome patted KiRaRa on the head, wearing the Pearls of Truth around her neck. "Come on, girl. Let's go kick some celestial butt."

KiRaRa growled then roared in agreement. She cocked her head waiting for the command on their next step. Kagome smirked then smiled.

"Let's see just how close I can get with these."

Taking the first arrow, Kagome placed it between two fingers and pulled back hard. She aimed as KiRaRa became stationary for a few moments. They would not get many chances to fire off arrows once the first one found its mark. She had to make each one count. She let it go.

The arrow flew through the air straight at Atokiyada. It glowed bright pink as it pierced the dimming light. She held her breath when it pierced the demon celestial's shoulder. Atokiyada staggered forward and screamed out in pain. Her hand immediately went to cover the wound, gripping the arrow. With a hard yank, the arrow did not budge from her shoulder. Atokiyada screamed out loud in pain.

Inuyasha lowered Tetsusaiga, Miroku kept one hand on his beads holding back the Wind Tunnel, Sango gripped Herykotsu readying for another round of battle, and Shippo watched from the corner as the celestial demon cried out. Sesshomaru and Tir remained silent and unmoving from their defensive positions near the center of the room.

KiRaRa moved through the air and came to rest at another spot above Atokiyada. Kagome repeated her action, the arrow piercing Atokiyada's hip this time. But that seemed to anger the enemy far too much. She pivoted at shot a barrier energy attack at Kagome and KiRaRa. They narrowly evaded the shot.

But the second one proved to be too fast to avoid. KiRaRa was hit in the side just below Kagome's left knee. The demon cat lost consciousness and fell to the ground. Kagome held on and screamed at KiRaRa hitting the floor hard. Tir caught her again and set her on the ground beside the now tiny demon cat lying unconscious.

"Thanks, Tir." Kagome picked up the demon cat and moved her out of harm's way. "I got her twice at least."

But she missed tagging the necklace from around Atokiyada's neck.

Tir returned to the battle. Undaunted, Kagome took another arrow and aimed it at Atokiyada. Her attention was currently focused on Sesshomaru and Tir off setting their attacks to keep her busy while Kagome took a few more shots. She would not let any of them down.

The next arrow struck in her in the back. Atokiyada staggered forward bent over in pain. She cried out as Tir and Sesshomaru continued their onslaught both getting in several direct hits. The demon celestial only appeared to get angrier.

Kagome's eyes widened when she blinked then found a barrier wave coming at her fast. But there was something hiding behind it, she could feel it. It was her arrow sent back at her. Which arrow did Atokiyada send back? Kagome realized there was no time to evade it.

Her eyes widened.